Russell Downing

[kease7]

How come he hasn't gone to a big team yet? Or is definaty of to Team Sky?

 

[clio16vmk1]

Who is he?

 

[doddy13]

Brailsford told Cycling Weekly in an article today that they are "Looking very seriously at him".

He deserves it, he's proved he's good in the Tour of Ireland, but also in domestic races, i hope he gets in.

 

[lanternrouge]

Brailsford told Cycling Weekly in an article today that they are "Looking very seriously at him".

He deserves it, he's proved he's good in the Tour of Ireland, but also in domestic races, i hope he gets in.

+1
Also I see British Cycling are looking again at Russ being in the worlds team. There will be serious questions asked if he is not in the team!

 

[clio16vmk1]

One simple reason why Russ Downing will not get on the Sky Team. TOO OLD.

Yes, he will now probably get a spot on the worlds squad, as it would be embarassing to BC for them not to select him.

Other than that, it will go no further.

 

[doddy13]

One simple reason why Russ Downing will not get on the Sky Team. TOO OLD.

Yes, he will now probably get a spot on the worlds squad, as it would be embarassing to BC for them not to select him.

Other than that, it will go no further.

He's 31, he's got a good 5 years left at top level, 7 years at best i'd say.

 

[thehog]

One simple reason why Russ Downing will not get on the Sky Team. TOO OLD.

.

Perfect for RadioShack then.

 

[lanternrouge]

Perfect for RadioShack then.

Too young! As a stagiaire?

 

[Anonymous]

Russ is a great domestic rider, but, pro tour level is a massive step up..

(didnt he race on the linda mccartney team?) edit: correction.. he was at recycling for a season

Top level domestic rider, but i dont think he has the strength to consistently take part in the long races, certainly not the five or seven day races.. Got a great sprint on him, but it showed stage 2 of the ToI, just how far he has to go against the real top pro's, earlier in the year in the beaumont, in a group with house, couple of others and wiggins, and wiggins rode every single one of them off his wheel..

Hes right up there in the top 3, along with Dean, and Christian House on the domestic stage, but however chuffed i am with his performance over the weekend, i dont think he has enough to get a pro tour ride.. :/

he better be at the worlds along with house though.. if they overlook either then british cycling has problems..

 

[mr. tibbs]

How come he hasn't gone to a big team yet? Or is definaty of to Team Sky?

He has an unfortunate tendency to finish races.

 

[the truth.]

too old!
the guy won the tour of ireland on his 31st birthday. in his prime
a 2 year contract with this little rocket is money well spent.

he finished 49th in the worlds in Varese last year- so can do it on a big day.
lotta big paid talent behind him!

 

[horseman]

I would like to be wrong, but I also don't think he has what it takes to compete with the top boys.

 

[Anonymous]

personally i think the guy that does deserve a shot is kristian house.. 15th in the tour of ireland so showed again he can finish well, and he road an absolutely cracking ride in the british championships..

but at 29 hes probably still a bit too old..

i think of the current domestic crop ed clancy has the most chance, still young, still in his first proper season of road racing.. every chance of progressing..

 

[anubisza]

I agree, at 31 he's still got 2-3 years left when he can be getting good results.

 

[trekbikes]

Russel Downing is a class act and is certainly capable of riding in a pro tour team. Any rider that can win a 2.1 is capable of riding at a pro tour level!
There are many riders who ride in pro tour teams that have never won a race let alone rode away from klobonev, pinotti, kroon et al! He has shown on numerous occasions that he is capable of competing with the big boys of world cycling on a diet of mainly domestic races. It would be great to see what he can do with a season in the pro tour and an international racing program.
Of course 31 is old to be moving upto the protour but with the Sky coming online next year questions would have to be asked if they ingored a British rider who won a race of the quality of Tour of Ireland.
I believe that Russel had problems with a pro continental team in the states a few years ago due to work permit problems and it is about time he got a 2nd oppertunity.
Fully deserving of a contract at Sky next season

 

[Jacques Tati]

To old at 31!!...what about Malcolm Elliott...he's gotta be good for Lance and the Shack team. A real golden oldie with class.

 

[kease7]

surely Russell Downing & Cristian House will be on team Sky?

 

[monkey1553]

Regardless of age Russell is getting results. I think he's earned himself a pro tour team contract for 2010. Maybe Columbia will take him on after the schooling he gave them a few weeks ago!

 

[saxe_coburg_gotha]

Less drugs in the Pro tour now so not much difference . Probably severval thousand riders of similar ability around nowdays.
Mr Downing cant just get round races he can win them.
British Cycling can be a bit of a click with set ideas but I don't think they can ignore this type of rider.